Blades: Bournemouth boss Bradbury inspired to beat Sheffield United

SHEFFIELD United have been warned their lofty reputations will count for nothing at the Seward Stadium today.

Lee Bradbury, the Bournemouth manager, insisted his players feel inspired by the challenge of attempting to beat one of the division’s big guns after overcoming Huddersfield Town earlier this month.

“It should be a good game of football because they (United) like to play,” he said. “They have got some good strikers and it’s going to be a tough match for us but there is no better time to play them.

“They are a good side and a really big club but they’ll be looking at our result.”

Bournemouth’s victory in West Yorkshire resonated through United’s bootroom. But Danny Wilson and his staff will also have noted that three members of the team which triumphed 1-0 at the Galpharm Stadium – Wes Thomas, Harry Arter and Scott Malone – are all unavailable this afternoon.

Malone is nursing a hamstring problem while Thomas’ loan from Crawley has expired. Arter, the former Woking midfielder, starts a two-match ban after collecting his 10th caution of the season.

Acknowledging Wilson’s belief that invention must be combined with industry if fifth-placed United are to prosper in League One, Bradbury said: “They have got some really good individual players but they also work hard as a team and that is they key to success.

“You have got to have all of your individuals working as a team and that’s what we are trying to instil here.”

Bournemouth, who are 14th, recently appointed Russ Wilcox, previously of Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley, as their assistant manager and hope his experience can help push them back into contention.

“We’ll be looking to build on that great result,” Bradbury added. “United are a huge club, but they’ll respect us.”